Catholic, Muslim Leaders Celebrate Past Accomplishments, Pledge Continued Support in Public Square at National Gathering

October 10, 2012

WASHINGTON—Leading
Catholic and Muslim scholars and religious leaders convened a national plenary at
the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, October 3-5. Participants from the
three regional Catholic-Muslim dialogues sponsored by the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB) celebrated the work and public impact of the
dialogues, received formal updates on the status of regional projects, and voiced
a future vision for the dialogues.

In
his opening address, retired Archbishop Alexander Brunett of Seattle presented
a narrative of the dialogues, praised the solidarity and friendship of the
participants, especially following the events of 9/11, and urged his listeners
to cooperate on projects of common concern in the public square. Referencing
Pope John Paul II's address to Muslim youth in Morroco, he urged the audience
never to lose sight of the fact that, despite the differences between religions,
the unity of the human community is the more fundamental reality. In service to
this unity, Catholic and Muslim leaders must advance dialogue by approaching it
as a spiritual exercise that requires the cultivation of virtues, especially
meekness, humility, and trust.

In
response, Sayyid Syeed, Ph.D., of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
remarked that if the last millennium witnessed to the spilling of blood, this
new period of emerging multiculturalism is an opportunity for the
Catholic-Muslim dialogue in the United States to lead the way as a witness of harmony and
peaceful coexistence.

A panel delivered commentary on the present status and
future hopes of the dialogues. The co-chairs of the Mid-Atlantic dialogue, auxiliary
Bishop Denis Madden of Baltimore (who also chairs the USCCB Committee on
Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs) and Talat Sultan, Ph.D., of the Islamic
Circle of North America (ICNA) expressed gratitude to the dialogue participants
for their work on the defense of family, marriage and interreligious education.
Both leaders interpreted these works as important contributions to the formation
of individual conscience, especially among the young.

Midwest
co-chair Syeed remarked that the work of these regional dialogues is conveyed
to the international Muslim community and thus serves to promote greater
understanding and peace between Muslims and Christians around the world. His
Catholic counterpart, auxiliary Bishop Francis Reiss of Detroit, emphasized
this point by remarking that the reality of multiculturalism in society entails
that "we live in a moment in history that is significantly and profoundly
unique," to the extent that Muslims and Catholics can show the world how to
live in peace and harmony with persons of different religious affiliation.

West
Coast co-chair, retired Bishop Carlos Sevilla, S.J. of Yakima, Washington,
encouraged dialogue participants to "cast our nets wider, so as to include in
our work a wider audience, especially the youth." His Muslim co-chair, Muzammil
Siddiqi, Ph.D., of the Fiqh Council of North America, urged the participants to
consider publishing to a wider audience, generating more joint statements, and
expanding the Catholic-Muslim network through the enhanced use of technology.

The
plenary keynote addresses were delivered by scholars Jamal Badawi, Ph.D., and Jesuit
Father Tom Michel, Ph.D. Speaking to the plenary theme of living our faiths
together, Badawi drew attention to the role of language, specifically
translation of religious texts and the dissemination of opinion based on
particular translations, in determining the possibility and extent of harmony
and/or tension between Muslims and Christians. Father Michel, whose address was
highlighted by reflections from his experience living abroad in Muslim majority
countries, argued that effective and truthful dialogue requires faithfulness to
one's tradition. "Muslims must glory in the
prophethood of Muhammad and the Qur'anic message that he
brought," he said, "just as Christians must glory in the cross of Jesus Christ
and our faith in what God has accomplished in him for all humankind." But, he
continued, this faithfulness need not lead to enmity but rather mutual
affection and encouragement since, "we worship and confess the same God."

By accepting this message, you will be leaving the website of the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This link is provided
solely for the user's convenience. By providing this link, the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops assumes no responsibility for,
nor does it necessarily endorse, the website, its content, or
sponsoring organizations.